PANAJI
With an extended dry spell disrupting the Kharif season, the Agriculture Department has advised farmers to defer agricultural operations, particularly paddy transplanting, till Sunday, expecting the monsoon to revive from July 19 in line with the India Meteorological Department's forecast.
Although officials stated that crop losses remain limited, they acknowledged that paddy transplanting has been delayed across most farming areas.
"There has been a delay in transplanting paddy. We are in constant touch with the IMD, which has forecast normal rainfall from July 19. We have therefore advised farmers to suspend agricultural operations until then, particularly transplanting paddy," Agriculture Director Chandrahas Dessai told The Goan.
The department has also circulated a detailed advisory to farmers, while zonal agriculture officers have intensified field inspections to assess the impact of the prolonged dry weather.
Farmers who have already transplanted paddy have been advised to provide protective irrigation wherever water is available and maintain a shallow water level of 2-5 cm in fields to minimise crop stress.
The advisory further urged cultivators to strengthen field bunds to conserve moisture, avoid applying chemical fertilisers during the dry spell, keep fields free of weeds and regularly monitor crops for pests and diseases, which could become more prevalent under dry conditions.
Farmers have also been asked to remain in contact with their nearest Zonal Agriculture Office (ZAO) or Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) for technical guidance and updated advisories.
Preliminary inspections have found only a small pocket of damage so far, with about two hectares of paddy fields at Velsao affected after the lack of rainfall prevented the dilution and flushing of saline water, increasing soil salinity and damaging the crop.
Goa's rainfall deficit has widened to 36 per cent after narrowing from 52 per cent at the end of May to around 27 per cent last week. With little or no rain over the past several days, transplantation has slowed sharply and freshly planted seedlings have become increasingly vulnerable to moisture stress.
Desai earlier said that only 5 to 10 per cent of the State's paddy area has been transplanted, with the remaining cultivation held back by inadequate rainfall.
Seeds sown in fields that still retain moisture remain safe for now, he said, but crops in dry fields could suffer if the rain does not return soon. Farmers who have already transplanted seedlings and have access to alternative water sources have been advised to irrigate their fields using pumps, although many cultivators lack such facilities.
The Agriculture Department has assured compensation under the Shetkari Aadhar Nidhi to those who suffer crop losses. Desai said the ZAOs have been carrying out village-wise assessments of the extent of the damage. “ZAOs are closely monitoring the situation and reporting to the head office,” the director added.
